CNN Poll: Are you better off than your parents?

[RobinA]

13. Not Even Close

No, I am not better off than my parents materially. My parents were better off then their parents, who were better off than their parents. My sister is about the same off as my parents because she married someone doing well, as did my mother. I am a single female with an advanced degree working at a professional job and I'm not better off than most anybody middle-class. I graduated from undergrad in 1980 and have worked my entire life under a layoff cloud, something my father never had to do. I've been laid-off twice but bounced back each time, although I took a pay cut each time. I now finally make the same money I did in 2000. I'm not complaining, I'm just pissed.

In a lot of ways I'm better off then my mother and sister because my security doesn't depend solely on another person. I also know my way around my finances, which my mother does not.

But I don't think it can come down to personal situations, I think its aggregate. I personally believe that there is going to be a huge problem when the unpensionized start hitting retirement in signifant numbers. Which won't be for awhile, but I sure wouldn't invest in anything retirement-related for the long haul. That nice retirement center down the street operates on pension money!